Frederick D. Gregory. Photo: NASA

NASA Deputy Administrator Frederick D. Gregory has been selected as one of the 50 Most Important African-Americans in Technology for 2004.

The award is from the editors of Blackmoney.com and U.S. Black Engineer & Information Technology magazine. Gregory will be featured in the January/February issue of the publication.

Honorees are annually selected for this list based on their work in making technology part of global society. Their accomplishments are upheld as examples of the important contributions made on a daily basis by the half-million African-Americans in high-tech jobs.

"I'm pleased that Fred's commitment to NASA and his ongoing efforts to make this agency's mission relevant are being recognized," said NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe. "He is a role model for a new generation of explorers, and I'm sure the entire NASA family joins me in congratulating Fred's selection for this award."

As Deputy Administrator, Gregory serves as the chief operating officer for NASA and reports directly to the Administrator. He is responsible for directing and managing many of the agency's programs as well as day-to-day operations and activities.

Prior to becoming the Deputy Administrator, Gregory served as the Associate Administrator for Space Flight. He was responsible for overseeing the management of the International Space Station; Space Shuttle operations; Space Access using Expendable Launch Vehicles for commercial launch services; Space Communications; and Advanced Programs. He held that position from December 2001 to August 2002.

From June 1992 to December 2001, he held the position of Associate Administrator, Office of Safety and Mission Assurance, at NASA Headquarters. As Associate Administrator, he was responsible for assuring the safety, reliability, quality, and mission assurance of all NASA programs.

Gregory has extensive experience as an astronaut, Space Shuttle commander, test pilot, manager of flight safety programs and launch support operations.

He will receive the award at a ceremony Feb. 20, 2004, in Baltimore.